Group visits

Welcome!

Spaces for playing. Experiences for connecting. Resources for learning. Children's Services offers opportunities for families and kids from birth through grade 8. Staff members provide expertise in early literacy, child development, and children's literature. On the Main Library's first floor, find a Toddler Trainyard and activity table, an Art Alcove, homework study rooms, a playhouse. For onsite use, kids can check out iPads and Internet computers and students in grades 4-8 can borrow Chrome laptops and DVDs. Want to see more of what's happening here? View our photos on Flickr >

Group visits for children

As a community leader in early literacy and early learning, we love to partner with Oak Park schools, centers, and youth organizations by sharing and showcasing the public library’s resources, services, and specially trained staff. To best serve everyone, we require advance notice for visits by large groups (9+ children of any age) who wish to access the services or accommodations outlined here. To arrange a group visit, please contact our Children’s Services team in advance at childrens@oppl.org and 708.452.3420.

Drop-in services inside the library (availability varies)

Summer Reading Program sign-up/ prize check-in (seasonal)

Extra assistance for checkouts

Computer/mobile device use

Please note: As a public institution, our available space and services vary daily. Due to capacity limits, we are only able to accommodate Oak Park schools and centers at this time (with the exception of services related to our Multicultural Collection and Multicultural Learning Librarian, which may be arranged for groups outside Oak Park).

Visiting for the first time

This simple social story (PDF)uses basic words and pictures to encourage kids to feel more comfortable visiting the Main Library, and to know more about what to expect while here.

Parents/cargeivers are responsible for the care and behavior of their children while they are in the library, and children under the age of eight must be accompanied and directly supervised at all times by a parent or other responsible caregiver. Read more in our children unattended in the library policy >

Meet your Children's staff members

With expertise in early literacy, child development, and children's literature, we can help you find what you need! Meet our staff >